Kentucky Horse ParkHORSERACING TV TO PRESENT LIVE COVERAGE OF JOHN HENRY MEMORIAL

Press Release Date:

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Contact Information:

Cindy Rullman, 859-259-4209 ext 209, crullman@kyhorsepark.com

Lexington, KY, October 17 -- HorseRacing TV (TM) will present live coverage of the public memorial for the great John Henry from the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY this Friday, beginning at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.

The memorial is expected to last for roughly 30 minutes, and those expected to speak are: former Kentucky Governor, Martha Layne Collins; Tom Levinson, step-son of John Henry's late owner, Sam Rubin; Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron; Ted Bassett, former Keeneland president; and John Nicholson, Kentucky Horse Park executive director.

John Nicholson, executive director of the park said, “We are pleased and thankful that HRTV will be honoring John Henry with a live broadcast of his memorial service. Many of his fans across the country will be unable to attend, and it will mean a great deal to them to feel that they are a part of this historic event by watching it on television.”

One of the sport's greatest, and most beloved, all-time stars, John Henry was euthanized at age 32 on October 8 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

John Henry won 39 races in 85 starts during an astounding seven-plus year career, and banked more than $6.5 million. He was named Horse of the Year in 1981 and 1984, and was voted the champion grass horse four times (1980, '81, '83 and '84), as well as champion older horse in 1981. He was elected to the sport's Hall of Fame in 1990.